Mitch Smith
Mitch Smith is a Chicago-based national correspondent for The New York Times, primarily covering news from the Midwest and Great Plains. He has spent his life and career in the region that he covers, having grown up in Kansas and earned degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern University. Before joining The Times in 2014, he worked at The Chicago Tribune. Mitch travels regularly to cover stories across the American Midwest, a vast and fascinating region that spans parts of three time zones. His reporting focuses on state-level politics, agriculture, property rights, gun violence, natural disasters and policing in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Mitch is committed to journalism that is fair, complete and factual and respects the people and places he writes about. He works to uphold the standards outlined in The New York Times' Ethical Journalism Handbook. Contact Mitch at mitch.smith@nytimes.com or via anonymous tips at nytimes.com/tips.
Biography:
https://www.nytimes.com/by/mitch-smith
85%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
88%
Examples:
- The author has a tendency to present only one side of an argument, often omitting counterarguments or perspectives that might challenge the narrative.
- The author occasionally uses sensationalist language to create fear and manipulate readers into believing that certain treatments or procedures are harmful when there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Conflicts of Interest
90%
Examples:
- There are instances where the author has a personal or financial connection to the subject matter of their articles, which may influence their reporting.
Contradictions
91%
Examples:
- Contradictions in the articles include instances where the author presents conflicting information or statements, sometimes within the same article.
- In some cases, the author seems to misrepresent or misinterpret facts or quotes from sources.
Deceptions
81%
Examples:
- In some cases, the author seems to intentionally omit relevant information or context in order to manipulate readers' perceptions.
- The author occasionally uses deceptive practices in their reporting, such as sensationalist language or misleading headlines.
Recent Articles
Century-Old Rapidan Dam in Minnesota Faces Imminent Failure Amidst Floods and Climate Change: Residents Brace for Worse as Mississippi River Rises
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota faces imminent failure due to floods caused by heavy rainfall, raising concerns among local officials and residents. The century-old dam's age and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change have put it at risk. With climate change making dangerous weather more common and the average age of an American dam approaching 60, experts warn about decaying dams and potential catastrophic floods caused by their failures. As the Mississippi River reaches flood stage in St. Paul, causing moderate flooding, authorities prepare for rising waters by closing roads and parks. 
Midwest Crisis: Heatwave and Flooding Displace Thousands, Claim Lives in Iowa and South Dakota
Broke On: Sunday, 23 June 2024A combination of extreme heat and flooding in the Midwest US has resulted in widespread damage and displacement, with at least one fatality reported in South Dakota. Cities such as Rock Valley, Iowa, and Spencer, Iowa, have been hit hard by the floods. Residents are urged to volunteer for cleanup efforts and avoid driving through flooded areas. Governors Kim Reynolds and Kristi Noem predict a long recovery process ahead. Meanwhile, tens of millions of Americans are affected by a heatwave shifting to the southeast, mid- south, and central Plains. 
Federal Judge Blocks Iowa's Controversial Immigration Law: A Preliminary Injunction Against Senate File 2340
Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024A federal judge in Iowa temporarily blocked the state's new immigration law on June 17, 2024, ruling that it conflicted with federal immigration law. The law would have allowed state authorities to file criminal charges against individuals with deportation orders or previous denials of entry into the US. Supporters argued for stricter immigration enforcement in response to perceived federal inaction, but opponents claimed it violated constitutional principles and could harm asylum seekers. The judge granted a preliminary injunction, and Iowa's Attorney General vowed to appeal. 
Barack Obama Marks Milestone as Chicago's Obama Presidential Center Reaches Full Height
Broke On: Monday, 10 June 2024Former President Barack Obama visited the nearly completed 225-foot tall construction site of his presidential center in Chicago, which is set to open to the public in two years. The 19-acre campus near Lake Michigan will feature a museum, library branch, athletic center and more. Despite facing criticism and legal challenges, the project is expected to bring economic benefits to the South Side of Chicago. 
Michigan State Trooper Charged with Second-Degree Murder for Fatal Hit-and-Run During Pursuit
Broke On: Wednesday, 17 April 2024A Michigan State Police detective, Brian Keely, has been charged with second-degree murder for striking and killing 25-year-old Samuel Sterling with his unmarked SUV during a pursuit in Grand Rapids on April 17, 2023. Sterling had multiple outstanding warrants and fled from officers before being struck. Keely's actions were deemed legally negligent by the Michigan Attorney General's Office, leading to Sterling's death and community protests. 
Multiple Lawsuits Allege Widespread Sexual Abuse in Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers from 1996 to 2017
Broke On: Monday, 06 May 2024Multiple lawsuits accuse Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and Corrections of allowing widespread sexual abuse in detention centers from 1996 to 2017. Allegations include rape, forced oral sex, beatings, groping, and threats or rewards for silence. At least six identified repeat offenders among staff. State's use of strip searches perpetuated abuse; Illinois among worst states for sexual abuse in detention facilities according to 2013 survey. 
Death Sentence for Brian Dorsey, Who Turned Himself In After Murdering Cousin and Her Husband in 2006
Broke On: Tuesday, 09 April 2024A man who killed his cousin and her husband in a drug-fueled rage is set to die by lethal injection, despite having two lawyers paid $12,000 each to defend him. He surrendered after stealing from the victim's daughter. 
Chicago voters to decide on controversial real estate tax referendum in March 2024
Broke On: Monday, 18 March 2024Chicago voters will decide on a controversial tax referendum in March 2024 that aims to address homelessness by reducing the real estate transfer tax for properties under $1 million and increasing it for homes and commercial buildings over $1 million. However, opponents argue that this new tax is unconstitutional and could lead to higher property taxes on homeowners due to shifting burden from commercial properties. 
Illinois Judge Rules Trump Disqualified from 2024 Presidential Primary Ballot for Insurrection Violation
Broke On: Thursday, 29 February 2024An Illinois judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot for violating Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits anyone who has engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding office. 
Indiana's Gender-Affirming Care Ban Lifted by Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Broke On: Wednesday, 28 February 2024The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has lifted a lower court's injunction blocking Indiana's gender-affirming care ban, allowing the law to take effect immediately.